There is a little place in Chapel Hill that I love. K&W Cafeteria’s. The majority of customers at K&W are senior citizens and college students. This always makes for a fun lunch. For years and before I stopped eating beef, I always ordered the Baked Spaghetti. I would slide my tray down the bars past the green jello filled with fruit. All they way to the veggie section and ask for green beans, fried okra and the best yeast rolls ever.

A few years ago, I met a close friend of mine from high school for lunch at K&W. He attended UNC for undergrad and for Law School. We were talking about how great the Baked Spaghetti is and guessing what they put in it. It has this sweet but tangy taste with cheesy top. A few days later my friend sent me an email FW:Baked Spaghetti. Its been in my inbox since Sat, 7 Jan 2006.

I finished up work for the day and headed to the grocery store to pick some up. After pacing up and down the frozen food section for about five times, I left grocery store #1 and headed to #2. On the way I called my mom.

Mom: ” Hello”

Me: “I’m moving back now!”

Mom: “Jacquelyn. Why?”

Me: “They don’t have fried okra here!”

Mom: ( Laughter) “Did you try another store? ”

As I walked into store #2 while on the phone with her, she made a suggestion. Check the produce section for fresh okra and fry your own.

My mouth and my mind were set on Fried Okra. I hopped back in the car and drove to store #3 in North Jersey.

I was able to find frozen okra in store #3. But they didn’t have the battered kind. This store didn’t have Cracker Meal either. So I came home and fixed the rest of my dinner. I wanted a veggie plate for dinner. I can always count on this meal at three places. My Mom’s kitchen, Momma Dip’s in Chapel Hill and Cracker Barrel.

Defeated, I came home and fixed my yams, corn, peas and broccoli. It was yummy, but something was missing. FRIED OKRA.